U Mobile has officially named Huawei Malaysia and ZTE Malaysia its technology partners in building Malaysia’s next-generation 5G network.

The announcement was made at a signing ceremony held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) on Tuesday, witnessed by Malaysia’s Communications Minister YB Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Party Secretary, Li Lecheng.

The move signals a major milestone in U Mobile’s ambition to accelerate nationwide 5G adoption, particularly among enterprises.

The company aims to achieve 80 percent coverage of populated areas within the first year of deployment and 90 percent by the following year.

“Our goal is to build a Next Gen 5G network that drives growth, sparks innovation, and sets new benchmarks for Malaysia’s digital economy,” said Tan Sri Vincent Tan, chairperson of U Mobile, who expressed gratitude to the Madani government and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for their support and foresight in introducing the 5G Dual Network model.

U Mobile’s enterprise-grade Next Gen 5G network will feature advanced, future-proof hardware and software, robust security, and a streamlined network structure.

With capabilities such as 5G-Advanced and network slicing available from the outset, the network is designed to meet the complex needs of businesses and critical infrastructure.

Key focus areas for the rollout include transport hubs, medical and sports facilities, smart cities, and data centres. U Mobile is also prioritising enhanced indoor coverage - an area often cited as a current limitation in Malaysia’s 5G experience.

“Our Next Gen 5G network will elevate Malaysia’s total 5G and 5G-A experience, both for consumers and enterprises,” said Woon Ooi Yuen, U Mobile’s chief technology officer.

“We’re also increasing competition at the wholesale level, which we believe will encourage innovation and provide better options across the industry.”

Huawei and ZTE were selected through a competitive, transparent tender process. “Invitations were sent to all regions. Ultimately, only two Chinese companies responded and we are delighted to work with Huawei and ZTE on this significant endeavour. Their technological leadership and shared vision for rapid, efficient rollout made them ideal partners,” Woon added.

Simon Sun, CEO of Huawei Malaysia, highlighted the company’s global leadership in 5G technology, including its proprietary MetaAAU solution, which leads the industry in Massive-MIMO advancements. “Together with U Mobile, we aim to build a bespoke, 5G-A ready network that supports businesses and communities alike,” said Sun.

Echoing this sentiment, Steven Ge, managing director of ZTE Malaysia, noted the company’s longstanding commitment to Malaysia’s telecommunications development.

“From 2G to 5G, ZTE has been part of Malaysia’s digital journey. Our Minimalist Private 5G-A Solution, used during Sukma 2024, earned us the GSMA Foundry Innovation Award and a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records,” he said. “We’re proud to help realise Malaysia’s vision of becoming a regional digital leader.”

With the backing of two global technology giants and strong support from national stakeholders, U Mobile’s Next Gen 5G initiative marks a new chapter in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.